For some time now, sports supermarket Decathlon's own brand, B'Twin, has been putting the lie to the notion that only expensive bikes are good bikes; its road models in particular have been the bargain hunter's dream. But what can it do with dedicated commuting machinery? If the Hoprider 900 is anything to go by, I can tell you it's just as impressive: okay, it's not a light bike, but if your commute isn't too hilly it rides really well and is excellent value, equipped with just about everything you could need for cycling to and from work.

Cons: Very heavy, contact points are a little disappointing, limited general use

Although road.cc bike reviews tend to start with a report on ride quality, it's a little unfair to begin immediately with how the Hoprider 900 rides because first we need to put it in context: this is less a 'bike' and more a 'total cycle commuting solution'. That might sound like marketing guff (it really isn't, I've just made it up) but you'll soon understand why. For £549 you're buying a bicycle that comes fully loaded with features that cover everything from load carrying, to night-time illumination, to even basic lockable security.

Technically, the Hoprider 900 is a trekking bike. Trekking bikes have been all the rage in Continental Europe for donkeys' years because they offer efficient, sensible, practical answers to people's daily cycle transport requirements. They're not aero or lightweight but they don't need to be for flat city riding.

With all that kit in mind, it seems obvious to say you won't be throwing the Hoprider 900 into corners, getting your knees out as you weave down mountain passes. You also probably won't find yourself dancing out of the saddle enjoying every chance to test your climbing legs. At a total weight of nearly 19kg, this is a seriously heavy bike and it feels it when the road starts to rise.

But that mass isn't all bad news because the Hoprider 900 is also fantastically stable even at speed (that 19kg plus rider can sure pick up some momentum downhill) and it offers a supremely inspiring base from which to navigate the urban jungle. It might sound a minor point for riders with excellent bike control, but for more nervous or wobbly folk, the Hoprider 900 is a brilliantly benign bike for looking over your shoulder or signalling. The view forward is impressive, too: the riding position is relatively upright, which is good for visibility and also adds to a rider's road presence.

For all the talk about bike weight, the Hoprider 900 is mechanically no slouch and B'Twin has specced some very decent components. The Shimano Alivio/Deore/Altus drivetrain is bombproof and works well, which is good because you'll probably make the most of its 27 available gear ratios.

Meanwhile, the Shimano BM-M315 hydraulic discs have enough stopping power to handle a laden Hoprider 900, even when travelling fast.

'Travelling fast'? It's not as ridiculous as you may think. The Hoprider 900's aluminium frame is quite responsive and turns effort into forward motion with impressive efficiency. You may find yourself cursing gravity at times but at least you won't find yourself fighting with your own bike. Indeed, despite being accessorised to the max, and having a hub dynamo, disc brakes and mudguards (all things that can easily cause irritatingly inefficient rubbing sounds) our Hoprider 900 cruised like a silent dream fresh from the box.

Stiff alloy frames might be good for efficiency but they tend to fall down in the comfort stakes; B'Twin has tried to alleviate this by fitting 63mm of front suspension and a fairly voluminous Selle Royal saddle.

Although you'd never pick it for the red run at Fort William, the Suntour fork puts up a good fight and will take the edge off minor potholes or patchy parkland paths. It can also be locked out, if front stiffness is your thing.

The saddle, on the other hand, is something that might visually reassure novice riders but would also make experienced roadies wince with its extravagance of cushioning. I had my doubts about it, but it's actually not a bad seat at all and will certainly do until you need to give people ideas for your next birthday or Christmas present.

Other road insulation comes via the excellent Schwalbe Marathon tyres with reflective sidewall strips and puncture protection: a perfect piece of speccing on a bicycle of this type.

And let's not forget those other practical extras, either. The rear rack comes with bungees and a clip. The dynamo system puts out 30 Lux of LED light at the front and a constant red LED glow at the back.

The kickstand comes in surprisingly useful. And the frame lock might not deter committed ne'er-do-wells, but at least it's an extra reason why they might choose to nick the bike parked alongside instead.

However, for all B'Twin's speccing excellence elsewhere on the bike, the Hoprider 900's contact points are a slight disappointment. The stock pedals alone hit the scales at 400g, so you could start making weight savings instantly by replacing them with something lighter.

Meanwhile, the wide handlebar grips have a nicely shaped palm rest but the rubber surface is unforgiving. Cycling mitts aren't a bad idea at all times but they're a requisite if you'll be riding the Hoprider for anything more than half an hour.

Those minor and easily rectifiable gripes aside, B'Twin has worked its customary speccing magic with the Hoprider 900, offering a fantastically fulsome trekking/commuter bike package with a fine riding experience at an astounding price. For those who need a bike to carry kit to work on a reasonably flat commute, I'm not sure you could find anything better. If only B'Twin could also work its magic on the weighing scales, it would be perfect.

Verdict

If you place practicalities, comfort and general usefulness ahead of bike weight, the Hoprider 900 is a gem – but it is heavy

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: B'Twin Hoprider 900

Size tested: Large

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Decathlon says, "Designed for daily rides in town and the countryside. The bike is suitable for rides over 10 km.

"Fully-equipped town bike that is versatile enough (27 speeds) to take on the hills. The aluminium frame makes the bike lighter, and the fork and suspension seat post make it very comfortable to ride."

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork

8/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Well-constructed aluminium frame – stiff and efficient – though possibly over-engineered and it is a very heavy bike. Internal cable routing for gear cables is a nice touch. The Suntour NEX suspension fork helps to take the sting out of road bumps but can also be locked out for added control.

Power transfer is good, but the overall weight is a significant handicap.

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:

7/10

Perfectly capable and triple chainset is very useful.

Rate the drivetrain for durability:

8/10

Tried and tested components – should be bombproof.

Rate the drivetrain for weight:

4/10

Not lightweight by any stretch!

Rate the drivetrain for value:

8/10

Very good – clever mix of efficient parts.

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

Considering its relatively lowly place among Shimano's pecking order, the mixed Alivio/Deore/Altus drivetrain is fantastic value and works well.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:

6/10

Fairly nondescript but rolled straight and smoothly. Having the Shimano dynamo hub is a nice bonus.

Rate the wheels for durability:

7/10

Should be bombproof like the rest of the bike.

Rate the wheels for weight:

3/10

The wheels are another heavyweight ingredient.

Rate the wheels for comfort:

6/10

Fairly stiff but not uncomfortable.

Rate the wheels for value:

6/10

Pretty much as you'd expect or hope for on this kid of bike. Shimano Deore hub at rear is a good sign.

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so

Wouldn't change the wheels until they needed replacing; I don't think a better set of wheels would do much for the ride quality as the frame is stiff ands the overall weight is spread so far throughout the bike's total package.

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so

Couldn't really think of a better speccing choice than Schwalbe Marathons for a bike with this type of focus.

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:

7/10

Fine. Bar is a nice width.

Rate the controls for durability:

6/10

Felt durable – almost too durable!

Rate the controls for weight:

3/10

Rate the controls for comfort:

4/10

Handlebar grips are a little unforgiving – would like better cushioning.

Rate the controls for value:

7/10

Decent finishing kit.

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

Everything felt in proportion – no unusual or wrong speccing decisions. I expect most riders will change certain components in time due to personal preference, but there's nothing that needs changing at point of sale.

Anything else you want to say about the componentry? Comment on any other components (good or bad)

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes, it's a very reliable and benign ride, perfect for commuting, allowing you to concentrate on the road rather than worry about your bike.

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes, but only for specific purposes.

Rate the bike overall for performance:

7/10

Rate the bike overall for value:

10/10

Use this box to explain your overall score

This is not a fast road bike, so the performance score relates to what the Hoprider 900 is designed for: commuting, trekking and leisure riding. Its weight prevents it getting a higher score. However, the fantastic overall build and speccing – while contributing to that weight – does mean it is superb value.

In any case the 'sale' prices have been that price for over a year, Inknow because I was going to buy my mum a replacement for her stolen bike, so the price is valid, you won't get any further discount on the BTWIN

they're still cheaper and still lighter and there are still better options out there that I couldn't be bothered to trawl through.

My partners side of the bike stable includes an everything-enclosed & mudguarded, sit bolt upright, hub geared and braked, Marathon Plus Tour shod - ‘something’ that is perfectly evolved for the short distance, low speed, normal clothed trundles that is most people’s commonest ‘use case’ [Too often they try to meet that need with that vastly over-engineered invalid carriage that is their car] When she initially got it I couldn’t see what the attraction was but now I think that everyone ought to have one – the world would be a much happier & healthier place for it.

Here's how we roll at road.cc:

Every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: